The manufacturing sector is diverse, comprising a wide-ranging number of different industries, technologies and activities. The sector suffered another major blow in 2008 but it managed to recover to its pre-crisis level in 2013. The access of households to a new wave of credit has pushed up demand for manufactured goods within the United Kingdom after the Great Recession.

The manufacturing sector is diverse, comprising a wide-ranging number of different industries, technologies and activities. The sector suffered another major blow in 2008 but it managed to recover to its pre-crisis level in 2013. The access of ...

Colgate-Palmolive: Leader in oral hygiene

Colgate-Palmolive is one of the largest consumer products companies with presence in more than 200 countries. The company produces, sells and distributes oral, personal, home care and pet nutrition products and is headquartered in New York, USA.

Colgate-Palmolive is one of the largest consumer products companies with presence in more than 200 countries. The company produces, sells and distributes oral, personal, home care and pet nutrition products and is headquartered in New York, USA...

Health & Well-Being: Superfoods see super sales

A growing trend among many consumers toward health-consciousness has propelled sales of superfoods and some associated perceived healthy products, such as gluten- and wheat-free foods and products such as Vitamixes. Food and beverage companies such as McDonald's and Mondelez International have responded by committing to strategies to improve the nutritional content of some of their products.

A growing trend among many consumers toward health-consciousness has propelled sales of superfoods and some associated perceived healthy products, such as gluten- and wheat-free foods and products such as Vitamixes. Food and beverage companies ...

Disposable media: How online content delivery is changing the world

Online content distribution platforms (encompassing app stores, video hosting websites, peer-to-peer networks and more) have become ubiquitous in recent years. They have upended established industries and are changing both the way content is delivered and the nature of the content itself. This case study examines those changes and their potential implications.

Online content distribution platforms (encompassing app stores, video hosting websites, peer-to-peer networks and more) have become ubiquitous in recent years. They have upended established industries and are changing both the way content is de...

Unemployment in Europe: Influence of automation on labor market

The number of unemployed people in the European Union (EU) reached 22.7 million in 2014. Some of the unemployed lost their jobs due to economic crisis, some due to a lack of qualification. It is possible that increases in productivity brought about by the introduction of automated processes and robotics have paradoxically contributed to such economic and social problems in the short-term period.

The number of unemployed people in the European Union (EU) reached 22.7 million in 2014. Some of the unemployed lost their jobs due to economic crisis, some due to a lack of qualification. It is possible that increases in productivity brought a...

A November 2014 press releases revealed an erosion of McDonald's' results across most of its divisions, a stark contrast with one of its former companies, Chipotle. Chipotle has outperformed not only McDonald's in recent years, but also the economy. This case study analyzes the two company's financial performances and business practices, as well as the fast casual restaurant sector.

A November 2014 press releases revealed an erosion of McDonald's' results across most of its divisions, a stark contrast with one of its former companies, Chipotle. Chipotle has outperformed not only McDonald's in recent years, but ...

Budweiser: America's global beer superbrand

The global beer industry is evolving with the colossal beer brewing company AB InBev leading the way. One of its keys to success has been the performance of iconic superbrand Budweiser. This case study looks at how Budweiser has taken a patriotic approach to branding, used presence in sport and movies and has adjusted to trends within the industry

The global beer industry is evolving with the colossal beer brewing company AB InBev leading the way. One of its keys to success has been the performance of iconic superbrand Budweiser. This case study looks at how Budweiser has taken a patriot...

Supermarket Price Wars: A response to the rise of discount retailers

Grocery retail in the UK is dominated by four competitors. Recently there has been a surge of popularity in discount retailers, Aldi and Lidl, who are being seen as a threat to the 'big four' supermarkets. The big four are attempting to fend off this competition with price wars. This case study examines the structure of the UK market, the rise of Aldi and Lidl, and the response of the big four.

Grocery retail in the UK is dominated by four competitors. Recently there has been a surge of popularity in discount retailers, Aldi and Lidl, who are being seen as a threat to the 'big four' supermarkets. The big four are attempting to...

WWE Inc: Will the WWE Network be a title pinfall or force the company to tap out?

This case study explores why World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE) has decided to back a transition to an online subscription service, examining wider media industry trends. It explores the potential benefits and hazards of the strategy.

This case study explores why World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE) has decided to back a transition to an online subscription service, examining wider media industry trends. It explores the potential benefits and hazards of the strategy.

Online grocery sales: Successful revival of a failed strategy

Despite the spectacular failure of Webvan, the US based pioneer of e-groceries, in 2001, entering the online market seems inevitable for grocers who do not want to lose the race for market leadership in the omnichannel world. Innovative, more cost-efficient logistics models are successfully reviving strategies that failed before, changing the traditional grocery sales scene.

Despite the spectacular failure of Webvan, the US based pioneer of e-groceries, in 2001, entering the online market seems inevitable for grocers who do not want to lose the race for market leadership in the omnichannel world. Innovative, more c...

Smart packaging does more than simply contain and protect a product; it offers benefits beyond that, such as quality assurance and product information. The former is typically provided by so-called 'active packaging', while the latter is often the result of 'intelligent packaging.'

Smart packaging does more than simply contain and protect a product; it offers benefits beyond that, such as quality assurance and product information. The former is typically provided by so-called 'active packaging', while the latter i...

4G in Brazil: Too much too soon?

The Brazilian mobile telecom market has long been thought of as a major growth opportunity, and the market is dominated by multinational telcos looking to leverage its potential. However, the outcome of a September 2014 spectrum auction, the second of its kind for 4G LTE allocation, was disappointing for the Brazilian government and one major market player, Oi S.A. (Oi), did not even participate.

The Brazilian mobile telecom market has long been thought of as a major growth opportunity, and the market is dominated by multinational telcos looking to leverage its potential. However, the outcome of a September 2014 spectrum auction, the se...

Dietary supplements: Growth and M&A

Pharmaceuticals and consumer goods companies have been acquiring dietary supplements companies, or companies with strong dietary supplements products, in recent years. This is part of a larger trend and growing awareness of healthfulness among consumers. Dietary supplements are growing year on year and can provide consistent growth to companies offering them.

Pharmaceuticals and consumer goods companies have been acquiring dietary supplements companies, or companies with strong dietary supplements products, in recent years. This is part of a larger trend and growing awareness of healthfulness among ...

Food Scarcity:An inefficient food system may not provide for ten billion people

According to the World Bank the world needs to produce at least 50% more food by 2050, in order to feed a global population which will be boosted to 9 billion people. But climate change could cut crop yields by more than 25%. Unless we change how food is produced and manage our resources, food security will be at risk especially for the world’s poorest.

According to the World Bank the world needs to produce at least 50% more food by 2050, in order to feed a global population which will be boosted to 9 billion people. But climate change could cut crop yields by more than 25%. Unless we change h...

Uber Technologies Inc.: Calling a cab for the Taxi Industry?

This case study examines the rise of taxi apps, in particular that of Californian company Uber Technologies Inc. It assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the new service, and scenarios which present both opportunities and threats.

This case study examines the rise of taxi apps, in particular that of Californian company Uber Technologies Inc. It assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the new service, and scenarios which present both opportunities and threats.